Baker, Head of Ross' dd's Discounts, Departs

Neither a Ross statement nor a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission gave a reason for Baker's departure. The statement said the senior merchandising executives at dd's Discounts will report to Michael Balmuth, executive chairman of Ross, while the company conducts a search for a successor.

Baker, who (according to an executive biography from Reuters) had been with Ross since 1995, became dd's Discounts president in 2011. "Doug has made numerous contributions over the years as a merchandising executive at both Ross Dress for Less and dd's Discounts," Balmuth said.

Barbara Rentler, Ross' CEO, said, "Looking ahead, we remain confident in the dd's Discounts business model and excited about its growth prospects. Our store opening plans for dd's Discounts are on track, and we continue to believe that over time this business can become a chain of 500 locations from the 152 we operate today."